Children First: A Parent’s Guide to Safeguarding In Childcare Services

Children First: A Parent’s Guide to Safeguarding in Childcare Services

Keep your child’s safety at the heart of their care with Children First: A Parent’s Guide to Safeguarding in Childcare Services. This practical and easy-to-read booklet explains Ireland’s national child protection framework, Children First, and how it is applied in everyday childcare settings.

Designed specifically for parents, the guide breaks down important policies, legal requirements, and safeguarding practices in clear, accessible language. It reassures parents of the protections in place for your child, while also empowering them to know their rights and ask the right questions.

Inside, you will discover:

• What Children First is and how it protects your child.

• The role of Tusla and the Gardaí in safeguarding.

• How childcare staff are vetted, trained, and monitored.

• What a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) does.

• The signs of a safe, compliant childcare service.

• Steps to take if you ever have concerns.

• A practical checklist for parents when choosing or reviewing a childcare provider.

Why this booklet matters:

• Provides peace of mind for parents.

• Encourages open communication between parents and childcare providers.

• Reinforces a shared responsibility for children’s wellbeing.

• Helps create the safest, most nurturing environment for children to grow and thrive.

This guide is designed to be shared with parents in your service along with your child safeguarding statement and policies and procedures.